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I'm getting delivery of a new Taurus Judge soon, and wondering what 2 1/2" .410 pellet weight is good for "medium range" (not light and "short carry", as #12 1650 pellets....but not as large as buckshot) for home and carry self defense?

Does anyone here have a "Judge" and know, Please?
(I don't think I'll use or practice with .45 Colt (Long)rounds due to their cost, thank you)

thanks,
dS

doesn't anyone here have one?

dS

daddySeal my dad has a judge he uses #4 shot. It is hard to find in the 2 1/2 " shells though! #6 shot would also be adequate imo.

Thanks Taxman,
I'll look for #4 and/or #6 shot.

I appreciate it.
With those shot weights....about what is the longest "effective range" that they will "do the job" (and be a definite takedown), please?

I'm am not an expert on what the effective range for a "takedown" or to stop an attacker would be with #4s or #6s, but I have been peppered with them from over a hundred yards away and they ain't fun! Some of the instructors on here can help!

Here's a link to some field penetration testing done on the Judge using shotshells and .45 Colt. I don't think any size bird shot is going to be a 'takedown' shot at anything much over point blank range. A quick look at prices on larger-pellet .410 bore shotshell prices seemed comparable if not more expensive than .45 Colt. Personally, I'd use .45 for home defense and carry, and save the shotshells for snakes. I hope you find what you're after.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

#6 shot may not be a 'Take Down' at 10 yards depending on what the perp was wearing but I'll guarantee you that his/her attention will be diverted long enough for you to move in for a face/eye/neck/ear shot. Try it out on a heavy cardboard box once you get the gun. You'll see what I mean.

If this post seems a bit graphic, well that's the way it is....when you're trying to defend you and yours.

Good luck and God Bless.

Save the birdshot for the birds. Upright 2-legged varmints need at least the 3 pellet loads of buck shot. Better still, the 45 Colt solid.

Greybeard wrote:Save the birdshot for the birds. Upright 2-legged varmints need at least the 3 pellet loads of buck shot. Better still, the 45 Colt solid.

if one is a proficient pistolero; otherwise,....

Another thought on effective range for the .410 is the fact the rifling imparts a centrifugal force (gets that shot cup spinning) and increases the shot patern size considerably. I think within 10 FEET it is very effective; outside that you might be happiest if every other round was 45 Colt. Kinda of the best of both worlds.